Merry Christmas

So I found the coolest house ever! You need to have your sound on to get the full effect. I know what I am doing next year to decorate for Christmas :o) Enjoy! CBS News even did an interview with the guy who set it up!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Ah yes...the benefits of teaching. As we prepared to leave school yesterday...the students and teachers were paying close attention to the radio and weather. We all did our little prayers and rituals for the forthcoming day. My personal favorite is the ritualistic snow dance seen only performed in teacher's lounges and personal dwellings, which are done exclusively by those of us in the teaching profession. I must confess...I did mine. :o) I needed to sleep in so bad. But, I digress...teaching definately has it's fringe benefits....no Christmas bonus, or in office day care....but ahhh those snow days!

The Bird Flu

Barrowed this information from my friend HMB....thanks for letting us know the important symptoms.

The Center for Disease Control has released a list of symptoms of Bird Flu. If you experience any of the following, please seek medical treatment immediately:
1. High fever
2. Congestion
3. Nausea
4. Fatigue
5. Aching in the joints
6. An irresistible urge to crap on someone's windshield.

WOW....am I glad I don't have that last symptom ;o)

Song Lyrics and Early morning Driving

So I was on the way back from an MRI (which consequencely I had to get up at 5:30 AM for! GRRRR!) and these words came across the radio. It is a song by Chris Cagle, and it made me wonder in a million different directions. You know a good friend once told me, "that the problem with today's society is that we confuse love with feelings...because love really isn't a feeling...it's an action. Everyone wants to feel loved, but the only real love is that of God's love to each and every one of us. He is the only one that can fullfill the longing to be loved and cared for. Human love is so imperfect...but God's love is Perfect."

But back to this song...
The song tells a sort of story. It is like main character misses her so much, but doesn't tell why they aren't together. There had to be some reason...even if it was a stupid one. I know how it feels to lose someone you love and wish they would come back...in death...and in other areas of my life. It is hard to sleep at night, hard to focus on our daily grind activities, and our brain feels like it wants to explode. But God is always there waiting for us to come to him to be comforted, and sometimes that takes an eternity. However, as I was listening to the song, I wanted to think that the lyrics could be applied as God speaking to each of us...(minus the kitchen floor chorus...see lyrics... :oP). I know it is a strech...but it made me think. Hasn't God designed each of us to miss something in our lives...something only he can give us...Unchanging, unconditional, Love. We try to fill that void with all kinds of things...drugs, sex, rock n' roll, companionship, friends, toys, stuff! But it is never enough to make anyone truely satisfied...only God can do that and he calls to each of us to miss him and long for him...whether we know it or not.

And now...the lyrics:

Miss Me Baby
When You Hear Our Favorite Song Miss Me Baby
And When You Start To Sing Along
Think About All The Times That We Danced
In The Light To It All Night Long,
OhThen Miss Me Baby

And Want Me Honey
Like You Did The Night You Told Me That You Loved Me
We Couldn't Wait Anymore, Left The Keys In The Door
Took My Hand, Pulled Me Down On The Kitchen Floor
Yeah, We Were That Crazy
Miss Me Baby

Because When He's Holding You
Know That It's Killing Me
Let My Memory Be The Reason, Girl
That You Can't Sleep
And Every Time You Feel His Touch
I Pray To God It's Not Enough
And That I've Touched Your Heart So Deep
Girl, You Can't Shake Me
Cause I Love You, Yes I Need You
Miss Me Baby

Miss Me Baby
Until You Can't Take It No More

The First Church?

Ok for some reason I found this article very intriguing. They even interviewed the prisoners who dug up the thing!

The best Halloween Costumes EVER!!

If you want to see the absolute best Halloween Costumes ever created...then check them out :

Site #1

Site #2

Site #3

If I had the money I would be owning one of these no questions asked! I think I know what I am going to be working on between now and next year for Halloween...I so can make one of them!

The Big Let Down...

One of the biggest things I hate more than anything is losing! You can just ask anyone who knows me. I am competitive to a fault and I am very intense. I have lost at a lot of things, and been ticked off and disappointed and all that...but I never thought I would take losing a powderpuff game so hard. Maybe it was because they were seniors, and they should've won. Maybe it was because we lost 44-6 last year to the same coach. Unfortunately, we came up short once again....27-28. It was one of the best fought football games I have ever been a part of. Maybe that is why I took it so hard....

The reality is....those girls busted their butts, and it wasn't quite good enough. I feel like I let them down. They were so pumped up, and we just couldn't seem to score. As we walked off the field...and I huddled my team up. I looked into all their teary faces and let them know just how proud I was of them. I told them not to hang their heads, because they left it all on the field. I don't know if it made a difference...but I was proud of them.

The big Game

Tomarrow is a rematch of last years beating we took of 42-6 in powderpuff football. I think we actually have a chance....but we'll see. We are seniors now!

Joe Diffie

One of my favorite country singers for a ton of different reasons. One of which is the found memories his songs bring to my mind. When I was a kid just getting interested in country music, but knowing full well I liked it! I went to see him the other day and the concert was so cool...although I did pay for it the next day getting up early to teach! But it was so worth the tiredness. I got to watch the major country singer with the other hundred or so people who joined to watch him at the smallest venue I have ever been to for such a well known artist. I stood almost within reach of him and the rest of his band...it was totally cool! I forgot just how many of his songs I knew...what a good time.

As I listened and my memories ran wild, I felt some peace and quiet within. It was so nice. After the concert, I walked out and walked by his bus...and there he was...guarded by security. But me waved and told me to have a good night! WOW...what a nice guy. He didn't have to say anything...I am just some dumb country song fan pee-on...but he said hi anyways. What a good time!

Normal life?

I sat down the other night to ponder what exactly it meant to have a normal life. While it is true, mine as normal as you get from the outside...but inside it is a different story. What I mean is this: I have a good job, a house, fun stuff, friends, a loving family, etc. etc...but deep down non of that matters to me. I mean it does, but what I want out of life makes these things just buffers sometimes.

Serving God is most important to me, and growing in my faith...but lately I haven't felt like I have been doing much of that at all. I don't share my beliefs much with people around me because the "busy" word creeps in! I think that is Satan's way of distracting me from what God's goals are for me...if he can make me busy enough, then I won't want to read my bible, pray, or talk to other people. I hate when that happens...and it has been happening a lot lately. My focus has been on my own needs, and ignoring God's desires for my life. The most awesome person in the world reminded me of this by simply giving me a verse to ponder in my head. It was about who God is and whom he isn't. God is peace...not chaos...lately I have felt chaotic...that isn't of God. Time to refocus, time to reflect, and time to spend more "time" "Getting Right with the Man".

Random thoughts...

If you have to make a choice, but you can't find any peace in any of the options and there isn't any real peace in the situation....what do you do? Pray...yes....listen....yes.....wait....yes, but for how long? A week, a month, a year....I don't know. Interesting predicament.

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.
~1 Corinth: 14:33

So if you find peace in a decision...after prayer...listening...and seeking God...then it is probably a good decision...right? Then why don't we make those kinds of decisions?

It's finally happened...

I have tried so hard not to sell any of my Transformer toys in the hopes that I might one day get married and have a son to play with them. But I have started the slow, painful, tedious process of selling my prized toy collection via ebay. I don't want to, but right now the money is more important than the toys...I am trying to get rid of any bills other than my school loans, house, and car. So...the easiest way to make some money is loose the toys. I am also thinking of selling the prized VW...haven't prayed long enough about that one though.

It is a sad day for me in a way...watching them go one by one to new homes...It is like the guy from 40 Year Old Virgin selling his action figures. I can totally relate to him freaking out after he realized he had sold them all off! Unfortunately I am not going to make 100 G's like he did, but hopefully it will be enough to get rid of some debt! Then in the spring I am thinking of selling the house. Wow....I might be crazy! Well it would be easier to move without the 20 large boxes of toys...and the sad thing is...that isn't an exaggeration!

Dear Secret Work Readers

So I found out that some of my friends at work know the inner workings of my life through my blog...BUStED! It was a little wierd because they knew things they shouldn't, because I hadn't told them...but it was because the "read" about my life. Good times had by all. It was actually interesting lunch room conversation. Thus anyone who might be reading this from Mason Public Schools...welcome. Hopefully you will find out a little more about what makes me tick so oddly and you can all give me strange glances at work! :oP

To those of you whom read on a daily or somewhat routinely basis....thanks and keep up the good work.

The Big Day is here

Ok First....super awesome news.....

I interviewed for the head Varsity Baseball Coaching job for Mason yesterday and I got it! Which means a variety of things. First, I have a gianormous responsibility to run an entire program. Second, I am going to be pretty busy for awhile. Third, if I ever get married and still wanna coach that person will need to either like baseball and kids, or just be super understanding. But those things aside....I am excited and hope that I can serve God with this new position and not lose track of the fact that he gave me everything I have...including baseball smarts :O)


Now on for this day.....
I was born on Sept. 16th at 12:15AM 1978. I was only a little over 5lbs. But that changed fast and my nick name was Chub dubs...my dad gave it to me....thankfully I outgrew that too! Today has been really cool so far...I got three sets of balloon bouquets from different friends and students...all of which arrived at the High School. I looked like a carnie coming out of school with my huge bundle of balloons! I was greated with the weather report this morning which I loved a lot and meant a great deal to me...thanks to those who shall remain anonomous! ;o) And the usual calls from parents, and friends. Kids at school were really cool too...made me cards and wished me happy birthday all day long. But now it is raining and close to party time....hopefully that stuff goes away. But regardless...I won't let it ruin the party or hanging out with me peoples! Hope those of you who can make do...and the rest of you....you will be missed....that is a promise!

Ok...Someone must get me this for B-day!

I really want this CD...it just makes me laugh like crazy!

New B-day bash ideas!

So I had it suggested to me that since we can't go see a baseball game maybe we should just have one....well better yet....maybe wiffle ball....anyone? Sounded kind of fun to me. Also, 621 sounds fun...but remember they have a cover fee$$. Not all of us have tons of extra loot with the gas prices around $3 a gallon. But I would be up for it for sure! I believe that we should do dinner in celebration of me, and then plan on going out. Say dinner around 6:30-7ish...then go out afterward to somewhere for a few cheap drinks....then to 621.

For those of you who really care...we could do some wiffle ball on the Varsity baseball field at Mason...prior to dinner with enough time to clean up for dinner. Nothing major, but I need to know who would be in for that...it would make me happy...especially if I get the Varsity Baseball position which I interview for the day before my birthday! Let me know peoples!

Birthday wish list

Ok...if anyone was wondering what to get me for my birthday I have some suggestions:

I really want an iPod...but no one except maybe my parents would get me one.
I also would like a new Mountain Bike...but again...mucho dinero!

Things people could get me that would be reasonable....

1) Gift certificates to Pet Supplies Plus, Preuss Animal house, Best Buy, Express, or anywhere else that is cool
2) Old school Nintendo....really wish I still had one...and an old school Atari! That would be sweet
3) I really don't have a big pot to make spagetti sauce in....
4) A cover for my grill
5) I also wish I had a good set of grill utensils
6) A fitted Lug Nuts hat...size would 7 3/8"....I lost my other one in Germany
7) A fitted Tigers Hat...old school style...dark navy with a white D
8) Anything cool for my puppies or kitty kats.
9) Lots of friends to hang out with and wish me a happy birthday.

So I was thinking it might be fun to go play some miniature golf...or go bowling...but definately do dinner somewhere cool...maybe Claddaugh's or Clara's. Since it is on a friday it would be fun to go out dancing somewhere...but most places are too meat marketie...but it is still fun. Any other fun birthday suggestions from my viewing public?

Really big fish tank

I bought this aquarium on ebay...not realizing the absolute enormity of the thing. It is a 180 gallon tank...but it is almost 6' tall with it's stand....24" wide and 24" deep. It is a gianormous! It is so big in fact that I have to build support in the basement so it doesn't fall through the floor. I am excited though...It is going to an awesome site once it is up and running. I am going to run a fresh water set up for now...maybe go to salt in the summer or if I move next year....which I am planning on doing. HMB thinks it is overkill...she may be right. She is known to be on occassion :op But regardless...I am excited.

T-minus ten days

So I will be getting closer to the 30 mark relatively soon. The 16th I turn the big 27...not too excited. Good news is that it will be on a Friday! I have some cool things to say, but I am tired right now....

However, my "strange" theater friend yelled at me for not posting on my blog...right Meg?!...so did miss Yeehaw! ;oP Love you guys! So this is somthing new to read...this post that is...but I promise, there will be some cooler stuff coming up tomarrow after school...so check back ;o)

First Day Jitters

Wow...the first day of school came and went. Kids don't arrive until Wednesday. I saw so many familiar faces and so many excited teachers. It was fun being back in school...I know I used the word fun. But I like my job and the people I work with most of the time. In fact, I have taught at almost every building in Mason....I know almost all the teachers. It is kind of cool. Everyone knows me, so I kind of feel important....even though I am just a High School art teacher. :o)

But it is like the first day of school..."so what did you do this summer?" The most common question from those that haven't seen you in three months. I talked about Germany and was surprised that so many people knew about it from other people...and wanted to hear all about it. It was so cool to see God working in the public schools. After the typical welcome back to school first day activities we broke down into buildings for school briefings and meetings. The high school teachers had an ice breaker that the principals made....it was a cross word puzzle that we had to complete in groups of five. Each person's last name was a word in the puzzle. The clue for each name was something that they had done over the summer....they had it down that I went on a mission trip to Germany....I was shocked that they remembered...and that was how they had described me. It got better when we left to our departments...because one of the principal's asked "so did you grow alot spiritually from the mission trip?...Did it make you have a closer relationship with God?...it is so good that I can talk about this with you at school" I couldn't believe it! How awesome!

Cleaning the House

For those of you that know me...you know that this is a big deal. First of all...I hate cleaning...at least by myself that is. When I was little, my sister and I use to the clean the house for my mom. It was how we made an allowance. We would dust, pick up stuff, clean the rooms, vaccum, take out the trash, mow the yard, clean up doggy doodoo...the whole nine yards. It was kind of fun when we did it. For some reason we would fight over who got to dust and vaccum...it was kind of wierd. I usually won being the oldest....I would con her into doing something else. Each chore was assigned a certain $$$ value and I would always try to take the high $$$ chores. I always cut the grass...because that paid ten dallors...I was daddy warbucks after I cut the grass...just rollin' in dough....of course it always took me several hours to do. She and I loved to clean for some reason.

Now it is different. I am by myself with four pets...and hard wood floors. The vaccum really only works upstairs, I have to use a regular broom. No one to share the chores with makes for a lot of work for me. I have had some help cleaning...thanks Yi. But what happened to the fun that it use to be when I was kid?

Ish Concert

I went to the Jackson County Fair last night to watch the Riverview band "Ish" play. They were really good. There were actually a lot of people there considering it was a "fair" stage. It would've been cooler if they had gotten to play on the mainstage....in fact I think they were better than the pre-show for Switchfoot. I bought a set of tickets from Noel...they were sweet seats....2nd row dead center. I felt kind of out of place though with all of the screaming teenage girls surrounding us. Oh ya...forgot to mention....HMB was there with me...we had met up at the "Ish" concert coincidentally. Hadn't seen her in over two weeks...it was nice to catch up a little. But anyways....the concert was good. After the concert HMB and I went around to see the sights the fair...eat some fair grub....and see the animals. Oh ya...FYI...it is not cool to tell your friend to "watch out" as they step in cow crap...and then laugh at them. Man...I will find my revenge on that one...you just wait. But it was a good time...

After walking around waiting for the concert to begin...we finally went to see Switchfoot. I only knew about four of the songs...but they were really good. We were crammed into folding chairs...and had to crawl over a guy with crutches to sit down for the concert. The preband was still playing...not bad...but like I said before..."Ish" was a lot better. The weather was really muggy though....so we skipped out after they played the three songs we really knew well. So I guess we heard 8 songs or so...(random thought: can you start and end a sentence with a the word "so"?....well I just did :P) I thought about the concert...and the fun I had hanging with HMB....walked back to my car and left. Went to bed and had some crazy dreams about the president being attack in the middle east...and then woke up this morning.

Angry and Mad

I have been trying to spend a lot of time lately just contemplating life and trying to listen for God's direction....through prayer and reading my bible. What I can't stand is all of the slack I take from friends and family when I get questions about my life that only God really knows. For instance...

"Joey, when are you ever going to get married?"
"How come you haven't found a girlfriend?"
"How come you are not more active in finding someone to date?"
"Why do you spend so much time praying and reading your bible?"
"When is your car going to run again?"...had to throw that one in there....
"How come you are so busy?"
The list is really long...but you kind of get the idea....these are all things that piss me off!

While it is totally true...almost every single friend I have is married, having kids, or intently "dating" someone, my time needs to be spent seeking God for him to move me....not for me to try and move him!

First, let me just say...I haven't dated anyone in nearly a year. For some that might not seem like that long of time....but for me....it has seemed like an eternity based on the circumstances I have been through....and for friends and relatives...I guess they see me coming up on 27 and are worried. Well let me put the worries to rest! GOD IS IN CONTROL PEOPLE! I haven't dated anyone because I don't feel God has place the right person in my life....I spend a lot of time praying and reading the Bible so I can find out more about God and his purpose for me....I am busy because if I wasn't I would probably go insane and become a hermit on some mountain top talking to wild animals.....wait....maybe that last part is coming fulfilled with all of the pets that inhabit my residence. Just kidding....but seriously....People wonder why I get worked up about things like this....it's because they are always constantly bothering me with the same frickin' questions....which I don't have the answers to!!!! Simply reitterated....GOD IS IN CONTROL PEOPLE! If God wants me to get married....then I don't have much choice....if he doesn't...then I will just wait for him. Sounds like a sound thing to do.

While my car is nearly running again...and I am doing well on the outside....inside I am frustrated. I do want God to put someone in my life, but I don't want to be in control of that situation....I always screw it up! He needs to heal me and guide me spiritually, mentally and emotionally. I am giving God time to change me and prepare me so when I do meet someone...I will be ready...mentally, spiritually, emotionally, and willingly. So the next person that ask's me "Joey....why...." I might just explode...and deck them in the face! Or more likely just say "Hey...God is in control...that is good enough for me!"

So if there is anyone out there who still reads this....pray for this for me....please. ;o)

So I might be a slum Lord...

Ok...I have been thinking of ways to make extra money and have it be steady income. Well a good friend of mine sells and buys real estate and has made enough money so he really doesn't need to work...it supplys him with enough to live on and fund his full time ministry...he can just live off of the income from the properties he owns...but he still works. This same guy is one of my closest Christians friends and a mentor to me in many ways. So I asked him if he could show me how to manage properties and if he thought it would be a good investment for me...

He told me that I should absolutely get into owning rentals if I could afford it. He told me to start with just one or two...and grow slowly. I found the perfect place. It happens to be in Charlotte, and it is next door to one of my closest friends. Eric told me about it and said I should buy it...coincidence that I would have these two conversations within a short period of a week....I think not. I have been praying about it for a long while now...and maybe God is showing me a smart way of investing my income. My house I live in has been a good investment...so why not try to get another one...and let other people pay me to live in it...right? Eric has even agreed to be the super...since he lives right next door and knows a lot about plumbing, electrical, etc. I think it is a good idea.

I discussed the plan with Chuck...my Christian friend...and he agreed it was a good and smart buy. We went through it today...and I wrote an offer. If it gets accepted...I will then own a house and a three unit rental property officially making me a land lord. I am excited and nervous. This is a big risk chance I am taking....so anyone who reads this...please pray for me to be financially smart....

Waves of an Ocean

The ups and downs of life remind me of waves of an ocean. I mean...Have you ever seen the waves....They never cease...Always slowly washing away the shore with their constant monotonous pounding. Life is like that. If you have something that you try to push out of mind...something you just don't want to deal with...something you just want to block out of your thoughts....it begins to act like small ripples at first and eventually becomes the ocean of relentless waves. It will surface unexpectedly...creeping in at the most inconvienent times...Like when you are just about to fall asleep. Some might call it conscience...others over active emotions. Maybe it has to do with both. Maybe neither. Sometimes the emotions overtake you and you are left feeling sad and lonely...mad at the way the cards have fallen.

But then comes the light...at least it does for me. A warming sensation that there is still someone who loves you...even if other people may not. He knows you by name...has seen every mistake and success you have ever had....and love you despite it all. He has paid the price for every horrible thing you have done, are about to do, or will do for the rest of you days on Earth. He is like the Lighthouse and peir....protecting you from being totally washed away from the taunts of Satan telling you that you are no good, no one loves you, you aren't good enough, you are a failure, no one could forgive you from that!, etc. The truth of the matter is...despite these fleeting emotions...God is in control...if you will let him be. He wants the best for you...even if you don't agree with what the "best" is. Letting go is hard...especially when you are scared of what you might lose by letting go. But even if I stumble and fall...he will be there to pick me back up and love me. Sometimes he just needs to move you a little. Check out the lyrics from the band FFH....it describes how it feels to need God to move and show you things will be ok.

I can't find the words to pray, I'm a little down today
Can You help me, Can You hold me?
I feel a million miles away, And I don't know what to say

Can You hear me anyway?
What I need is for You to reach out Your hand
You have taught me no matter what You'd understand

CHOURUS:
Lord move in the way, that I've never seen before
Cause there's a mountain in the way and a lock on the door
I'm drifting away, waves are crashing on the shore
So Lord move (move), or move me.
END CHOURUS

I've looked every where to find a simple peace of mind
But, I can't find nothing on my own
So I gotta leave myself behind, take up this cross of mine
Give away everything I hold onto
Lord I know the only way is through this
But Lord, I know I need You to help me do this

CHOURUS
Lord move in the way, that I've never seen before
Cause there's a mountain in the way and a lock on the door
I'm drifting away, waves are crashing on the shore
So Lord move (move), or move me.

Out of this place of complacency
To a place of fellowship with Thee'
Cause I am weak, but Lord, You are so strong
And You know it's been way too long It's been way too long

Lord move in the way, that I've never seen before
Cause there's a mountain in the way and a lock on the door
I'm drifting away, waves are crashing on the shore
So Lord move (move)...,CHOURUS

I am now a Master!

Ok...maybe not officially until I get a diploma...but I have just finished all of the requirements for my master's class including the infamous portfolio! I am so glad to finally be done with school. NO more for me...unless I take classes just for fun. If I take something it will be like automotive mechanic or something that I really want to know. Maybe a painting class or a class on web design or something like that. So now....what to do with all the free time I am going to have this year? Hmmm...taking suggestions....

Storm Chasin'!

In my quest to finsih my master's program by editing together my final video presentation, I stumbled across a video of me being stupid. I love storms and chasing them. I found an entire video of my quest to meet God via being struck by lightening. It is hillarious because it starts off with the radio blairing the advanced weather warning beep on the car radio....telling everyone to take shelter...but where am I...in my car shooting video :o)

I know I am crazy...but when I watched this video....I think I may have had an appipahny....I really may be nuts! :oP It looks almost like I am driving through a tornado....but it is just a really terrible thunderstorm. There is even a spot where my car is being pelted with hail...and the cops blocked my direction on the road. Gosh...I miss the Jimmy and the thunderstorms we had last year. We could use some more....I want to try out the Albatrous...AKA..the Impala in the nasty weather. I bet she doesn't handle as well as the 4 X 4. Maybe we'll just have to work on getting a new truck. :o) Or maybe an STi Subaru...that would be sweet. Anyways...if you ever want to see me being nuts...just ask me to show you the video. :o)

Friendship Prayer

Ok...so it's not what you think. I got this from my mom. It is pretty funny!



"May the fleas of a thousand camels infest the crotch of the person who screws up your day...and may their arms be too short to scratch...AMEN"

I was suppose to be there today!

http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mediacenter/index.jsp?c_id=det

This link will take you to the Detroit Tigers home page...and click on top plays if you have windows media player...you should be able to watch the entire brawl. I was suppose to go to the game. I kind of wish I would've gotten to go now! The Tigers lost, but Farnsworth kicked some "Royal" butt!I am against fighting in baseball, but sometimes there are exceptions to the rules.

You can check out the USA Today recap.

Here is the start of the brawl. Guillen was hit in the head on purpose!

I have officially started my own compound complex

For the past two days straight I have been erecting a very long six foot tall fence that encompases my entire yard. It kind of reminds me of a fort or something when I was a kid. My body aches and my hands have blisters. But it is complete minus the two gates I need to install. All the fence is hung, and the poles were cemented in. Was it worth it? Right now I say yes. The kids can't get in, which kind of stinks...I liked hanging out with them...but they can't really scale the wall and that makes my yard safer. My dogs love it! No more chain...just free to run around!

My next door neighbor even helped me put up some of it. This whole fiasco with the pond has turned out to be a good thing, and another way for God to work in my life. I had the high of serving in Germany, and then the devil tried to ruin it by blasting me with trials. But I survived and God is making it work for good. That is so awesome...God rocks and satan sucks :oP

You think your week was crazy

Long story short last week sucked... and let me explain why. First, I got home from Germany...and that was nice....but we got to my house and HMB says:

"Joey What HAPPENED to you pond!?"

SOB....some little brats had poked holes throughout the whole thing and it only had maybe 1/2" of water in it. I was so pissed....then I saw one of the culprits....Mr. Corr the Terrible took over.

I yelled and demanded to know what happened. All the people in the apartments start coming out on their balconies to watch and I interrogate the suspect. Through tears I got the explanation...turns out I was sort of right about which kids did it. So luckily HMB tells me to call the police...and I did. The entire apartment complex behind watches as the blue flashing lights pull into the driveway...then take my report...and then goes over to furhter interrogate the suspects. After I filed a report, I had then calmed down enough to talk to the other set of parental figures. Kind of responsive...but not very. I see why their kids are such brats. Filed a report with my insurance...they came through...so I was doing kind of better right....

Then I decide hmmm...I can rebuilt it. So I buy the materials and redo it...next day...some other little runts push all the rocks into the pond...so I blow my top! I go and yell at the kids till I find out which ones did it...and tell them if anyone for any reason steps one foot in my yard they will be going to jail for tresspassing...I then post 5 big orange NO TRESSPASSING sign along my back yard. So far...not one soul has dared enter the lair of the terrible beast Mr. Corr!

Because it sat so long in the heat with no water...it killed most of my plants...so I get the idea to go to Home Depot for some new ones. I am looking at a new pump and looking back at me through the shelf is a kitten. I try to catch it, but it runs away. I get an employee and he tells me they have been trying to catch it for two weeks. I show him where it is and we decide it is time to catch the kitten. BAD IDEA...We catch him alright...but we both get bit! Damn thing was so scared it nearly took the end of the dude's finger off...and bit me after the employee dropped it and I picked it back up. Long story short we caught it, and it is safe and acting normal. But I found that out after I went and had to get a tetnus shot, and was scared I might have to get rabbies vaccinated! I did get some plants for free though...on a positive note.

So then I decide I can relax....WHAM!....I catch a nasty cold. In fact I am still sick and it has been three days...I was scared it was rabbies at first....but it is starting to slowly go away. Hopefully it will be gone by this weekend when we put up the military style fence around my yard...complete with a sniper tower...and machine gun turret to keep little kids from vandalizing my yard any further. :o)

Koln 2005.... 

Germany Day 2

Today we made some really good contacts. One which actually let up to meeting up with someone tonight. Three of us met up with a student here to play some pool. We had a great time and we are probably going to see him again. This rocks for several reasons...

First...it gives us a chance to share our faith in Jesus with him.

Second...it allows us to make our friendship stronger.

Third...we made a new friend...etc...etc.

Keep praying for us and for Bjourn...that is his name.

Germany day 1

Flying sucks....actually jet lack is why it sucks. We were up nearly 24 hours and it never felt so good to sleep. Today is our first full day here in Germany and I am really excited. We are going to campus and hopefully we will get a chance to share our faith stories with some people today.

FYI...eroupean keyboards are hard to use because they put letters in different spots!


We have gotten some chances to help out people along the trip so far...mainly in airports...it is amazing how much showing a stranger love impacts them. It is like a totallz foriegn concept to some people. I will blog more about that when my money isn't running out on the computer. Keep praying...we will need it.

Here is what happens when you get sick of a side yard that looks like crap. You call up a couple of friends and you dig a big hole. Then you call another friend who has lots of rocks and go get them. Then you order some crushed limestone. Add some water and shake.... 

And walla...you get a nice little pond :)

Wookie Guitar Solo

Thanks to HMB for this one. If you like Journey, Star Wars, and Wookies....then check this out.

Store Wars

Oh my gosh...this is so frickin' hillarious. One of the funniest things I have seen is such a long time. If you like Star Wars, you are going to die laughing.

Germany 16 days and counting...

Ok...so here are two links that I hope you bookmark on your own blogs. This first one is our blog for the trip

http://erivmissions.blogspot.com/

The second is the Website for the trip. You can see us all...for the most part, and we will be putting updates there while in Germany...assuming we find a computer with the internet.

http://www.freewebs.com/erivmissions/index.htm

Please make links on your sites...Please pray for us....and please check the sites as we will try to update them daily...or bi-daily.

Jury Duty

Opened my mail yesterday to find out that I am suppose to serve jury duty for the week of June 20th.....ummm....ya right....I will be in Germany for my mission trip.

I panic...call the number and leave a message. Then I call my good ol' friend HMB and get the advice to call the number (which I had already done). But for some reason she calmed me down a bit. So I tried to relax and just be patient for a return phone call........

After I return from my baseball game....which we won our very last game...yeah!!....I check the messages...

beep!.."This is the clerk at the court office for jurers...we can re-schedule your jury time for whenever you would like...please call back tomarrow."

So today I call and God fixed everything. I am not sure why I even really worried in the first place. God was probably laughing at me as I learn to trust that he is in charge and I am not.

Now isn't this the life! It was so nice outside today that I took each of my classes out to draw some wildlife (trees, flowers, and what not). I got to sit down and enjoy the sunshine while they drew...how great is that. 

Sometimes in life, there are opportunities you think only knock once…and if you don’t answer you are out of luck. Other times there are situations where you have to let things go, which are never going to return. But there are brief moments in life that are so amazing, and some call to chance, an occurrence in which you are giving a second go around. If you die to yourself, and give up control…you realize that God is in charge…and he has his plan. His will is what is important not ours…but oh how hard it is to really let go.

Will I ever truly let go and trust him? There is one thing in life I want more than anything else…the drive inside of me is so strong it makes me feel like I will burst sometimes. The girl I would like to marry someday…will God ever allow that to ever happen? He may not, and I am supposed to be ok with that. The fact is, I don’t know that I am. It is hard to imagine what it would be like without her around. How much I see God through her, and God work through her makes me so amazed at his power and sovereignty. She is so beautiful, funny, smart, stubborn, fun, and did I mention beautiful. The list is endless of why I want to be her husband, but does she want to be my wife? No...just friends I suppose...but will she ever want to be more? That question haunts me like a shadow…I can’t shake it. I know deep down she loves me, even if she won’t say it…her actions tell me she does. Her words and actions tell me how deeply she cares for me...without ever having her say "I love you." So here I continue to sit, patiently waiting for God to make the move and for me to be moved. Trying not to crumble in my doubts, and fears...trying to hold on to the hope that God knows best...and the knowledge that he loves us all very much. He wants the best for us...even if we won't admit it...which is hard to do sometimes. There is nothing else I can do, except to wait for God to move in one direction or the other, pray for continued patience, and strong faith to know HE has HIS plan...even if it does not come close to what my plans want to be. I want to do his will...and give up my own.

Being Darth Vader rules

Darth Vader....or is it?

So I went to the movies dressed as Darth Vader...since Anikan finally becomes Darth in the movie. Note...that this is only part of the costume. It is missing my light saber, and cape...which I did wear at the theater. I brought it to school on Thursday and wore it for my kids. That is where this picture came from. I will post pics from the movie when I get them. I won best costume from Z101.7 and I got my picture taken with little kids and even some adults. Jason Adams from the Morning Show interviewed me on the radio the next day. My students thought it was really cool.

Although I was a rather short Darth Vader....it didn't stop from instilling fear into one small little girl who cried because I was so "scary". I came back a little while later and she finally shook my hand and gave Darth a hug. :o) Another little kid walked up to me and asked "Are you dat guy from the moothie?"...it was so cute. Holly couldn't believe it. I also had a light saber duel with another movie-goer in the theater before the movie started....the place went crazy...it was so much fun.

I know...I am a dork...but it was so much fun.

Full Costume Shot without saber and cape

The Force is Strong with this One.

In lieu of the Star Wars hype...I wanted to toot my own horn.


I won opening night tickets off the radio last week....HAHAHAHA!

"Luke....I am your Father!"

Buying stolen cars...

So another reason not to go to auctions...the car you buy is a stolen vehicle.


Ya..that is what happened to me. I was on my way to get the title for the vehicle and I get a phone call from the sherriff's dept. "Mr. Corr...were you aware that the 1950 Suburban you have purchased may be a stolen vehicle?!" (WTF! what I say to myself in my head).

"Ummm...No!" I reply

"Well actually sir, it was a "misplaced" vehicle two years ago and it has come to our attention that you may have said vehicle"...the sergent

"Really...but we have the title"..."am I in trouble"...

"No...it is a civil matter now and I will leave it up to you and the previous owners to decide what to do."...end of conversation

So I get the owners telephone # and give 'em a call. They are surprised and interested in coming to see the vehicle. Now legally the vehicle belongs to me...even though circumstances took it out the their possession 2 years ago. But I tried to do the "right" thing and let them see if they wanted it back. Long story short...that was Saturday, and they haven't gotten back to me after they looked at it. So I still have my cool 50's cruiser...for now.

Of all the luck!

Modern Day Dukes of Hazard

Think they got away?

My crazy car friend Keith sent this to me the other day via email. It's kind of entertaining if you like car chases ;o)

Why I shouldn't go to auctions...

My dad called me yesterday to go check out an auction for him. I didn't buy anything that he wanted though...I didn't make it in time.

However, I did by something kind of by accident. You see they started the auction for this car...and asked who would start the bidding...so I said $50. The auctioneer went on and on...no one else bid. So he said he would have to check with the owner...the owner sold it for $50.

The cool part is...It is a 1950 Suburban Carryall...which is rare...and it is 90% complete. It is just in pieces. SO now I have a new project or I am going to sell it and make $$$. We'll see...it depends if someone lets me keep it or not. ;o)

Mission to Germany Webpage

Ok...so I was decided upon to create a website for the trip. Here is a link for it http://www.freewebs.com/erivmissions/

Tell me what you think so far.

Eventually it will have all of the people who are going pictures and faith bios. We will be able to update it too...oh ya...we are also going to have a blog site linked off the page.

Gum Update

After telling many people about the "gum" incident, I have been overwhelmed with choices that I "should've" made. My personal favorite, open a hymnal and tear out a page to spit it into. But no...would be wrong....FUNNY...but wrong.


My father preceeded to tell Holly and I about how my grandmother (all of 4 1/2 feet tall) and my great aunts (very similar in stature) balled him out at the luncheon following the cemetary visit. I kind of wish I could've been there to see a bunch of little ol' ladies give it to this guy. I had to go coach a baseball game, otherwise I might've seen it all unfold. I guess they were kind of relentless...not to the point of yelling....but really guilting him and scolding him for his poor actions. WOW!

Anyways...I knew that some of you might want to know that.

Would God chew gum?

My aunt passed away this past week. She was 89 years old, and was the last one of my deceased grandfather's 4 sibling still living. Five in all, with my grandfather being the youngest. She was Catholic and most of that side of the family is, so of course there was a Catholic funeral at a Catholic church. It was a descent service with the priest delivering a fairly "heart" felt message like he knew the woman as well as the rest of the family (which I am convinced he did not). But that is another story....

So there I am sitting third row from the front, along side my grandmother (to my right), and my father (to her right). There is some immediate family in the second row, and her son and step daughter with grandsons in the first row. My legs began to get tired from all the ups and downs and different prayers. It seemed strange to me (I am not Catholic), but I tried to be honoring to my grandmother and deceased aunt and did my best to follow. Finally there comes a moment for silent meditation...we are asked to remain standing. I am there thinking about Aunt Frannie in heaven (or pergatory if I was Catholic) playing shuffle board with John Paul II...when all of a sudden I notice the paster coming down from his pulpit and walking down the second isle in my direction. He stops right in front of me and leans in to tell me something...

Figuring it had something to do with being a casket bearer, I leaned forward to hear his instructions...and his response....

"You must remove the gum from your mouth...this is the holy temple of God and it is rude to have gum in your mouth so you need to get rid of it immediately!"

WTF....Is he serious?! I am suppose to be meditating about my always smiling aunt. I couldn't believe it....as I remove my gum...he wanders back to his authoritative throne in front. The kicker is...I wasn't even chewing the gum...it was kind of just in my mouth...I don't even know how he saw it...let alone let it bother him so much he needed to interrupt my silent meditation over my aunt's death to tell me to remove it. I was so mad that I really didn't even respond to him...except to say "sorry I offended you" as I removed the gum. I should've handed it to him and said "thank you for being a servant of the lord", and asked him to "please throw it away for me". But I didn't...I didn't want to make a scene at the funeral.

Afterward, I helped carry the casket to the hurse...and stopped him. Sorry I offended you I said. And before I could say another word, he said that "it is ok, it is just sad that in a Christian society people just do not know how act properly and next time you will know better"....and walked away. Are you kidding me right now?! I didn't even get to say something...I wanted to tell him that first of all...society is far from a Christian society...I don't know what box you are living under...and even if it were...would God care if I had gum in my mouth at my aunt's funeral? NO!! Secondly, I would've said that building of brick and wood is just a building...it isn't a holy temple of God. God doesn't live there...he lives in our hearts...not in buidlings! And lastly, that if Jesus were standing there with me, do you think he would've care that much...or would he have maybe had gum in his mouth too?! What a confused and power hungry individual! I tried not to judge him in my heart, but I think I may have. I wanted to rebuke him, and correct his wrongful actions, but he didn't even give me a chance to speak. Only God can change a man's heart. So I will pray for him.

But when it comes down to it, I hope there is Gum in heaven so that Jesus and I can meet that man...both of us blowing bubbles with our gum and asking him if he might want some. That would be great...cuz I really think that God would chew gum.

Dreams and God

I woke up from a vivid dream early this morning. It was the strangest I have had in a very very long time.

Chuck Hill and I were fishing. But we did not have any poles. Simply a strange fish manual and our hands. We wadded in the water and scooped up fish by the handfuls. The water was warm, and the sun's rays brushes our faces. It was a warm yet cold day. Despite the sun's warm appearance, there was a coldness to everything around us.

The sun was shinning bright and you could see down into the crystal clear water. The suns rays revealed the multitude of fish in the stream running into the open water. We each carried a special fish book with instructions on how to catch each of the species of fish. I eagerly wanted to catch some perch for some reason and Chuck agreed it would be beneficial. I didn't want to read my book, so Chuck open his book. It's slimy coated outside cover needed prying open to read it's liquid like content filled gooey sheets. Our books appeared to be fishlike themselves...so odd. But hey had the answers...how to catch the fish.

To our right was a ledge, and I walked far up it to look down into the water. It was a ledge against a cliff wall, about ten feet from the water's surface. From the ledge, I could see some huge fish that I wanted to catch. Chuck warned me to come down, and I ignore him. I wanted the big fish....CRASH!!! The ledge gave way...sending me plunging into the dark clear water. The fish don't move...so I try to grab them...but they grab me instead. They took me deep into the water and I faught against their sharp razor teeth. They let go...and I swam hard to get back to Chuck. For some reason I could breath under the water...but it was getting harder. The giant fish swam with me and stared me in the face...smiling and revealing their teeth once more. I reached for Chuck but he can't get me.....The giant fish raced toward me...teeth glaring...

POOF! The dream ends...and I am in my bed. I immediately ask God what it means...and he answers me in my head. (I am not sure what is more fightning...the dream or the instaneous answer from God) My answer...Do not always go after the big fish. I give you what you need and people to help you. Be prepared for what you seek and the big issues won't tear you apart. You had the answers in your book, but refused to be prepared. You didn't listen to sound advice and you were reckless. I am in control. Be fishers of men, but beware that not all men can be caught. Guard yourself in me, do not let temptation drown you.

I tried to go back to sleep...but I was a little freaked. Eventually I managed some beauty sleep, but the dream was still in my head with those words when I awoke in the morning. I told Holly and she told me to blog it...so here it is.

More than meets the Eye

Ok...so it is coming...it is really coming! I can not wait...

Yes I am a cartoon loving freak and this is my favorite series next to GI Joe.

Hillarious...for any race fans out there

Ok you gotta turn your speakers on for this one. Brought to you by Crazy Frog.

It's been awhile

It has been awhile since I have blogged...so I kind of feel like I have been being a slacker. Which is most oftenly true. I tend to leave things until the last minute or forget about things I should remember. But I think everyone does that from time to time.

Anyways....

I have been struggling with giving God control lately...well actually it has always been an issue with me...but lately I have come to notice it more. I like to be in charge of the things I do. I always want to be the fixer of situations...gotta have my way. But recently, I have been trying to do less of it. It isn't so easy...especially if you have been doing it for like 26 years. Listening for God and being quiet...letting him move me like the wind gently moving a feather through the sky. Geez...it is tough though. There are some things in life that I want to happen and I want them right now...but I am learning to be still. My friend HMB can attest to the fact this is an issue with me...or my friend Nick....or Eric....or just about anyone who knows me well.

It becomes ever so evident in things like phone calls. I give my friends like ummm....maybe an hour to call me back and then I bug the crap out of them by calling and calling and calling repeatedly because they haven't called me back yet. What the heck...am I an idiot...that drives me nuts when people do it to me...so why do I do it then? What did I ever do before I had a stupid cell phone. I feel like that with God sometimes...I will pray...but if I don't get an answer right away, then I do the phone call thing. Patience is a virtue that is hard to achieve....but I know God is working on me with it.

Mission Trip

Where I am going: Koln, Germany

Time Frame: June 25th-July 3rd.

Purpose: To talk to people and build relationships, in a hope that I can discuss God's desire to have a relationship with people and maybe plant a seed for God to grow.

What I will not be doing: Passing out Jesus pamplets, digging wells, etc. etc.

What you can do: Pray for me to reach people, and raise the funds for the trip. Some of you may be getting letters asking to help me go...if you feel God telling you to help out than please let me know.

Thanks!

My Car

Ok, so I finally started my website for my car. I know it is wierd, but I am a gearhead and I really want to finish my car. So I made a website to entice sponsors. Let me to what you think if you feel compelled.

State Wrestling Team Finals

So Mason Wrestlers pulled it off...a perfect 36-0 season. The team won the State Division II Team Wrestling title. It was cool being back there after almost ten years...man I can't believe it was that long ago. It was different this time...I was a coach, not a wrestler. I really didn't do much except encourage the kids and aid them in yelling out moves to use. But they toughed it out and won. Congradulations to Mason High School Wrestling Team!

A Dan Update...

Dan's dad is getting worse, the chemo isn't working on the cancer. I have been praying like crazy and I know several of my friends are too. I am asking anyone who reads this to please pray for him and his family.

When in doubt...consult God.

I was having a conversation with a friend about faith and wondering if what we believe is real or not. It wasn't that they doubted things, but that they just had some fleeting questions. I mean sometimes I am even like why is life sometimes so crappy(ak.a. cancer, tradgic deaths, etc.)...what makes God real? So I consulted God's word for some answers. And this is what I came up with:

1 Corinthians 15: 1-6 "Now brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I have preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, IF you hold firmly to the word I have preached you. Otherwise, you believe in vain.
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep."

1 John 5:11-13 "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
I write these things to you who believe in the name of the son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."

John and Paul both write to us explaining that our belief in Jesus is what gives us eternal life. They even give us proof that Jesus's resurrection was real. Faith is something God gives us...it is ok to question...but listen for the answers when the come. God is real.

The case of the missing snow...

Thanks to Noel for pointing out this wonderful theory on missing snow....

My Friend Eric...

My friend Eric came to Riverview with me on Sunday. Hols introduced him as the friend whom I met in a junkyard. Which is totally true, but it sounded like we met there last week, which made it funnier. I have known him for the better part of ten years. He is one of my closer friends….and I would say he believes in God but isn’t a Christian. He doesn’t really like organized religion…and I can’t blame him on that one. It was so cool that he actually came to church with me…didn’t think that would ever happen. After church HMB, Eric, and I went to eat some Jersey Giant Subs. Good food!

He was telling us this story about this "church" his company is putting exterior brick on and these guys who work construction for him. He said the guys have manhood issues. He went on to explain how each one tries to prove how big his cahonies are, and how many guys they’ve beat up or could beat up. This one guy who voluntered from the church was a high school guy and talked a ton of trash. He said he was studying to be a black belt from the pastor. He also said that the pastor would just keep hitting him in the face until he could block the punch! The hard-knocks way to martial arts. (This reminded me of the self defense instructor from Napolean Dynamite).

Eric-"He would've hit me in the face once, and I would've kicked him in the balls!"

Then there was this other 60 year old guy who claimed to hold over 30 world weight lifting titles. Eric said he was nice, but really old. Eric also said the guy wasn't strong enough to sqeeze a hot glue gun! So he felt like he was surrounded by guys still living in the past or thinking they had to be the toughest man and one up the other.

Eric- “I wish they would just take it out back and settle it once and for all. I would just club them all once with a 2 x 4 and walk away!”

We all laughed…he really is hilarious. He then goes to tell us he doesn’t really care who is toughest or how many people they were able to beat up while in 11th grade. Like I said his sarcasm is so funny.

Eric- “If they want to see just how much of a man they are, they should come spend a couple of hours with my four kids. Try taking an elbow the size of a quarter to your left testicle and see how tough they are. Think about it...have you ever seen how pointed and sharp little kids elbows and knees are...they are like leathal weapons. I have seen my father drop like a rock because my daughter's head was waist high and she ran to give him a hug...and smack! I have never seen a grown man drop so fast! He had to hold onto the fridgeto keep him from falling to the ground. Or how about waking up to a poop filled diaper to the face as your kids jumping on you to get up and make breakfast...that will test your real manhood.”

He then procedes to tell us about this "church" he was invited to in Maryland which they were doing brick work for. He said the only way you could attend the service was through an invite...it wasn't open to the public. They had a service that lasted like 4 hours long on Sunday, like 2 hour services on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Eric and his buddies debated on going. "What if we get stuck there and it sucks...we are there for frickin' four hours! But get this...and they had cheerleaders running up and down the isles during the service. That is what got them to go :oP. After he went with some of his worker buddies, they concluded that it was a cult. He also said the Pastor sounded like a salesman and said that "it was peoples' duty to give money to the church for God and it could be spent at his descrestion..."

Eric-"I guess that is why the dude rolls in a 2005 Escalade with $12000 optional wheels."

He said this one guy from the church invited them over for dinner one night and treated his wife like she was his maid or servant. They were going to take their shoes off because they were muddy and the gentleman said "don't worry...leave them on... my wife will mop it up later." He then proceeded in ordering her around and to wait on them hand and foot...and she did.

Eric-"If I ever treated my wife like that she would beat my face in with a bat!"

When we came back from eating and story time, we decided to go online to see the video feed of this church...it was odd for me....but we all laughed and watched them sing a song that lasted a good ten minutes and it just repeated itself over and over and the pastor jammed on the organ. We also saw the cheerleaders...and the guy who orders his wife around...the weight lifting champion...and the kid who thought he was Jean Claude Van Damn.

I wonder what Eric thought about our church?

The Bible...Lego Style

This is fricking Hillarious...you gotta check this out. Thanks to Hols and her pals for this one! Check out The Flood. It was killing me I was laughing so hard.

Am I Job? (pronounced..JOBE)

Ok so this day is finally done! And I am so glad...it was the day from hell. I felt like Job from the old testament.

First I got up early from a whining puppy...no biggie...it happens when he has to go potty. So I let Titan out and left Cain to sleep some more....which is normal. But I came back in and he was pissing all over the brand new bed I had bought him. So I had to take care of that and all that jazz. As I turn the corner I noticed some cat puke. As I am cleaning it up, I notice five more spots of cat puke. Now I feel like Noah...can you imaging the work he had to do on the ark just feeding and cleaning up after those frickin' animals?! I now have to find the culprit.

(read with an Aussie accent)
As I put on my crocodile hunter moves trying to stalk Chessie...I follow her distinctive "yacking" sound....only to find her hiding up inside of the bottom of my couch. I carefully tip over her nesting place and remove the ferocious calico from her resting spot. While doing so, I gracefully put my hand in an unseen pile of vomit! CRIEKIE...she's got me. I wrestle her into her crate and plan for the move to the vet.

Ok...no more accent. I go back to bed for 40 more minutes of sleep. Back to feeling like Job and not Noah. I get ready...I am running late...I go to start the car...and it won't start! I try for fifteen minutes to get her running...but nothing. I call my father...he can take the cat to the vet. I call a friend for a ride to work...but then the dang thing starts. I am ten minutes late for school. Kids are waiting in the hallway...the bell had already rang...man I should've stayed in bed. That was the kind of day I had...no fun!

Starting a zoo

It's official. I am startng my own zoo. I now have two kittens and dog and a puppy. I may have to charge admission to my zoo to pay for the food it takes to supply their nutritional need. No wife or kids, but a butt ton of animals. And exactly what is a butt ton you ask...well let me tell you.

After cleaning up after four animals fecal matter during the week, I figure that it must weigh approximately a ton. Thus I have a "butt Ton" of animals. And no...it is not button....it is Butt Ton.

Coolest Teacher Award

I got the most amazing thing today when I got to school. A student whom I taught last year was recognized by Scholastic Services as an outstanding student and has the chance to get some major college scholarships. In doing so, they asked her to nominate her most influential teacher that she has had. She nominated me and they sent me a certificate in recognition. I almost cried. It was the single coolest thing a student has done for me in my short teaching career.

A little background on this student. She took art as a whim...and she just had a natural talent. I encouraged her and she got really good. Her effort and determination is what made her so good. This year she came to my room to tell me that she was moving schools because her family situation was bad. I was disappointed because I thought that Mason had the better art program and thought she would get more experience here. HMB and I saw her at the mall during Christmas and that was the last time I have heard from her until today.

It's amazing how sometimes you never know who you effect and how you effect them. God allows them to grow and sometimes you never see the end results. Thank you God for letting me know with this student, and that I am being effective because He allows me to be.

Young Life

James Granger invited me to visit a Young Life meeting yesterday. For those of you who don't know what Young Life is...it is a bunch of young high school students getting together to learn about God and have fun. If you have ever been to Campus Life in high school...it is pretty much the same thing. One of the biggest differences was that the kids form small groups and have older Christians help lead. That is kind of why James invited me. He wanted me to check it out and see if I would be interested in being a leader. If that is what God wants me to do then I am definately up for it.

The coolest part was that I knew about 80% of the kids from the high school and they all couldn't believe that I wanted to hang out with them at Young Life. God is definately showing me ways to interact with my surroundings and opening doors to talk about him with kids. I've been praying for that for awhile.

Dying to yourself

First I must admit...this is barrowed from my friend HMB, which in turn she took from the author Bill Britton. But it is totally awsome and wanted to blog something really good today.

Dying to Self by Bill Britton

When you are forgotten or neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you don't sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is happy - being counted worthy to suffer for Christ; THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart, or even defend yourself - but take it all in patient loving silence; THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any unpunctuality, or any annoyance ... when you can stand face to face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility - and endure it as Jesus endured it; THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When you are content with any food, any offering, any raiment, any climate, any society, any solitude, any interruption - by the will of God; THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or record your own good works, or itch after commendation - when you can truly love to be unknown; THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met, and honestly rejoice with him in sprit without envy or question of God - while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstance; THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When you receive correction and reproof from one of less stature that yourself, and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly - finding no rebellion or resentment rising up in your heart; THAT IS DYING TO SELF ARE YOU DEAD YET?

In these last days the Sprit would bring us to the Cross."That I may know Him ... being made conformable to His death"

update

Ok...long story short. They cancelled the pre-liminary hearing. Both sides decided that there was enough evidence to go straight to trial. So I got the day off...didn't have to sit in court...and didn't have to see the guy who killed Kris. Kind of wierd.

Drunk Driving Revisted

I was invited to the arraignment of the drunk driver who killed my friend Kris. I was invited by his best friend and his family. It is on Wednesday. I am going, but I am a little torn. Deep down I am mad at the 20 year old who made the crappy choice to drink and drive and think that he deserves whatever he gets. I also want to see justice be done. But I also pray for the guy. I have never met him. His life is ruined now...because he carelessly took the life of another.

But I don't want to have hate for him in my heart. I am afraid I am going to hate this guy when I see him for the first time on Wednesday. I mean does he feel remorse or is he a big fat jerk. I want to believe he is a jerk...so if I hate him I won't feel bad about it. I've been praying a lot about what I will do. How do you love someone that killed one of your friends? Love your enemies...kind of hard. I just want to go and support his family and Shawn (his best friend). God is in control...and I am trusting in that.

Being me...

Ok listen up. I am constantly in self frustration mode, because I know that no matter what I do I can't make myself any closer to God. I can't buy my way to God. If I could, than everyone could just pay some silly toll and be right with God. But that isn't how it works. I mean read what Jesus said. He said "I am the way, the truth, and the light. No one comes to the father except by me." John 3:16...most misquoted verse in the bible in my opinion. Meaning that nothing we do gets us closer to God except for following and submitting to his authority over us. Think of it. The word "Lord"...what exactly does that mean? Lord is someone who has complete power over you. Someone you serve, and give authority to. To put it simply...letting God have his authority over us and obeying his word...aka...the bible.

Now I know that life isn't like a bowl of cherries or something else stupid like that just because I choose to follow Christ. In fact the opposite seems to be true. Think about it...yours friends peg you as a nut; you start to realize there is more to life than having fun and living for the moment; things like drinking and sex and whatever else suddenly become issues for sinful acts. You become a social outcast in a sense. Realizing sin is what keeps your from God. Realizing that relationship is what you have been missing in your life. So, you go against the world....and follow Christ.

But there is hope in the life you choose....or more so....the life that chooses you. God picks us first...we don't pick him first. He plants the seed that we choose to either continue to grow or chop down and play in the thorns. The thorns of sin are so tempting...luring us away from truth and creating a larger gap between us and a relationship with God. God frees us from the thorns...lets us know truth and frees us from the sin. The sin that is like the flower of a rose bush...beautiful....but only sucks us in and prick us with the thorns of sin. The sin that widens the gap of a relationship with God. Jesus died to repair the wounds the thorns cause. To love and heal our hearts. That is why Jesus died. So that the thorns wouldn't have the control...he gave us the choice.

Getting real...

I learned a couple of weeks ago that my sister has chosen the homosexual life style. I really don't know how to feel about it. I knew she was living the lifestyle for awhile now, but she accepted a ring from her friend. Though I don't know why I should be so shocked...actually I wasn't.

I love my sister, but I think she makes rash decisions about her life choices. She is as stubborn as I am, so that makes talking about things just that much more difficult sometimes. In the past two and a half years she has been engaged to be married to a man, and broke that off. Was breifly carrying a second man's children, (that ended) and broke that off. And now has decided she is gay. Like I said I really love her...she is my only sister...but I don't know how someone can waiver so much on such life changing decisions over such a short coarse of time. Trying to talk to her about biblical truths (which she was raised by) is near impossible. Almost always a fight, so I try to just be her brother...which is bad too sometimes ;o)

The thing is, I don't know what to say to her...or not to say...so I just try to be as real as possible. She knows I disagree with her choice (not going to stop loving her though). She knows that the bible says it is wrong...though she thinks the bible is just tainted human ideas. No one was ever won to the Lord through argumentation....or so my friend RB says. So I am left with just voicing my opinion and agreeing to disagree with her. And of course prayer....so that is what I do. I pray for the situation and my sister.

It was a good day

Today I spent time with my best friend HMB. It was good. She is one of those people whom I trust with everything. The sucky thing is she lives an hour away, but the good thing is I get to see her about once a week...if only at church. We hung out with Lindsay and Brad. They played with the kittens, and Brad played some Halo 2 at my crib. It was good times...we also sat in the hot tub...but it was freezing outside. The water felt great, but man that air froze us. Brad figured out the hard way that it took about 2 minutes for your hair to freeze...that was kind of funny.

My dog was hillarious...he kept jumping up on the edge of the tub because he wanted the rubber duck thermometer in the tub. It was pretty funny. Then, HMB took the kids home and we met up for dinner at Olive Garden. Like I said...good times with HMB. We talked about life and hung out. Then went to good ol' Meijers for some supplies for the week. I said my good bye and off she went to D-town. It was a good day.

kitten 

Insane Kitten

Last night, I got home from our Wrestling match against Eaton Rapids...which we won...and I noticed something about Hemi. He had a turd hanging from his butt as he was getting out of the litter box...there was something wierder though. I inspected it closer only to see it hanging by a rubber band. My frickin' cat had eaten a rubber band....and it was holding that turd there. It freaked me out cuz the turd bounced by the rubber band while he walked.

I was ticked...so I went to grab him and of course he took of on a dead sprint. SO I give pursuit. I felt like I was cat hurding. Down the hall...around the table...up the stairs...down the stairs...back up the stairs. I finally grabbed him. A cat that doesn't want to be held is like trying to hold water in a strainer...near impossible. Trying to be as delicate as I can, I remove the issue...kitty cat...all better. Now it was 10:30 and so I washed my hand and tried not to vomit and went to bed. Think twice before getting animals ;o)

New insight...

My friend told me to quit running around in circles chasing my tail, by doubting. Thank you Mike for that insight. He was absolutely right. That is kind of what I was struggling with...the fear of not living right...instead of just living. HMB told me that I do that earlier today too (2 times in one day...I get it God)...I spend too much time worrying about whether I am doing something good enough, or am good enough, instead of just doing it and having faith that God will work out the rest. Which is absolutely true.

I think that Satan gets in our heads and makes us think we aren't good enough to do something...so instead of doing things...we worry. I know I do that waaaaaaay too much. Am I doing it right...is it good enough...blah blah. Like Nike said..."JUST DO IT". Not to say that you shouldn't question, but knowing that God is with us can make all the difference in the world. Sometimes, that is where we have to have the faith to step out on the water and know that God isn't going to let us sink. By doubting, that is all we will do...maybe just enough faith to keep our heads above the water...but I want the faith to walk on the water! I want God to "look" at me the way he "looked" at Peter. And to have the faith Peter had to come out to him on the water.

Shattered again....

Ok...so I was listening to Noel on my computer. It was his Easter message titled "Shattered" ...and again there I am feeling like there is more for my life...that God needs to use me more and am I letting him do it?

...so I listened to another one of Noel's messages "Community"....again...same feeling. It is like the lyrics of one of my favorite Switchfoot songs....which Noel used in his sermon of course. I want to live for God alone...not for myself...or by myself.

MEANT TO LIVE

Fumbling his confidence
And wondering why the world has passed him by
Hoping that he's bid for more than arguments
And failed attempts to fly, fly

[Chorus]
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside
Somewhere we live inside
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
Somewhere we live inside

Dreaming about Providence
And whether mice or men have second tries
Maybe we've been livin with our eyes half open
Maybe we're bent and broken, broken

[Chorus]
We want more than this world's got to offer
We want more than this world's got to offer
We want more than the wars of our fathers
And everything inside screams for second life,

yeah,
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
We were meant to live for so much more
Have we lost ourselves?
We were meant to live
We were meant to live

It is interesting everytime I hear this song I hear God telling me to live...for him...to die to myself and live for him.

The Church Thing

Okay...so church today was pretty good. Normally it is...but normally I don't write about it. I like that it challenges me and fills me back up after a long week. If I am feeling down, or frustrated, the act being with other Christians and listening about God tends to lift me back up. I think it is a combination of the music and the message. They always hit me. They always deal with real life and what the bible tells us. Now I know....Riverview is just a building...and the body of believers is the "church", but that is why it is so good. As my friend R.B. would say: "there are really real Christains" there. There are also people from all walks of faith and non faith, and outlooks...but the focus is God.

I don't normally invite people to church, and I don't know why. My friend and I talked today about that subject. I guess, I was being afraid a little to invite some of my other friends who really aren't into "the God thing" or "church". I wasn't having a willingness to trust God with everything....to step out of my safety and comfort of what my friends might think...to maybe help them get to know God as the personal, caring, loving creator he is. Which is kind of ironic, because that was part of the message today too. The message was centered around four areas. These areas were: Having a willingness to trust God with everything, a willingness to submit to his authority, a willingness to take risks for God, and a willingness to be truely authentic.

Steve...the pastor...also said we have two primal fears. The fear of failure, and the fear of rejection. Isn't that funny. Sometimes I feel like God is talking directly at me. Those reasons are why I steer clear of the subject of faith and God with some friends. The are fears God wants me to overcomb...be authentic...be willing...don't be afraid of failing or rejection. I don't want to push my beliefs onto other people. I just want them to know God like I do. To experience how much he cares...and loves each of us. I want God to use me to reach others.

Napolean Dynamite

So if you haven't seen this movie...I highly recommend it. Especially if you like stupid funny movies. I have seen it about six times now. My roommate bought it and I watched it on a whim...now it may be on my top five favorite movies for humor!

So if you want to see some clips check this out:
http://www2.foxsearchlight.com/napoleondynamite/epk/index.php

Friends

What are friends? Are they the people who know us best, even when we don't know ourselves? Are they the ones who "are there for us" when we need them? The ones we can count on? The people we hold dearest to our hearts for whatever reason....?

I have always had problems with "friends". Some friendships last only a short time, while some have lasted most of my life. Throughout it all, I know that some friends are better than others. The good ones we don't always hold onto, and the ones we should let go...well...we cling onto with a death grip for some insecurity buried deep within the soul. Some hold special slots in our life which we can never let go of, even if we really wanted to. They are the ones that we want to be there, but aren't. They are the ones that we poor out into, and yet we can never seem to fill. They are the ones that know us inside out, and on some level have love toward us, but for some reason keep their distance or keep looking for someone better. Why?

Or maybe it is just me? Maybe I am too intense, demanding, open, serious, and goofy. Maybe I just have one of those personalities where people can only take so much of you before they really need a break. Really though, I think that it is because I come across judgemental too often(even though I am not really that way). But for some odd reason that is how people sometimes take me. I ask too many questions, and care way too much. People label me as nosey...not caring.

Maybe, I am too sensitive. Caring about other people costs...no matter what anyone says. But isn't that what Jesus told us to do? Love your neighbor. Count the cost. Die to yourself. If I do that, then it shouldn't matter what my friends do, or how they act, or what they think about me....right? Unfortunately, it does matter more often than not. I do care about what others think...and say....and how they act toward me. But what matters most, is what God thinks of me as his servant. Am I doing good? (despite my feelings of unworthyness, sometimes loneliness, pridefullness, self rightousness, etc.)....Am I bearing good fruit or am I a branch that needs to be cut off? What does God think about how I am loving my "friends"?